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A black digital hanging luggage scale with a metal hook and LCD screen, with two green batteries beside it on a wooden table

Photo: Hanging digital luggage scale (2026) 01.jpg by Gpkp (CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped), via Wikimedia Commons.

Can you pack a luggage scale in carry-on or checked luggage?

Carry-on in JapanYes
Checked bag in JapanConditions

Luggage scales can go in carry-on in Japan; checked bags have conditions.

Carry-on: Yes. A digital luggage scale is a small electronic device: one with a lithium coin cell is allowed when the cell holds 2g of lithium or less, and one with alkaline batteries is not restricted. Checked baggage: Yes. Pack it so that it cannot switch on or get damaged. A device has to be switched completely off in checked baggage only when its cell holds more than 0.3g of lithium.

Luggage scales on flights in and from Japan

The rule for luggage scales comes from the Civil Aviation Bureau's list of restricted items and is the same on domestic and international flights.

Luggage scales: carry-on and checked baggage in Japan
WhereAllowed?What applies
In the cabinYesYes. A digital luggage scale is a small electronic device: one with a lithium coin cell is allowed when the cell holds 2g of lithium or less, and one with alkaline batteries is not restricted.
In checked baggageConditionsYes. Pack it so that it cannot switch on or get damaged. A device has to be switched completely off in checked baggage only when its cell holds more than 0.3g of lithium.

Digital luggage scales: a coin cell or AAA cells in a small device

No list in our sources names the luggage scale, so it is read as a small device and judged by the cell inside it.

Scales that run on a lithium coin cell
Japan's list accepts a portable electronic device holding a lithium metal battery of 2g or less in the cabin and as checked baggage. South Korea's list has the matching row for a lithium metal battery fitted in electronic equipment, and notes that it generally means a button-type lithium battery of the CR series.
ANA: small cells may stay powered on
ANA's FAQ adds a note for the smallest devices. One whose lithium metal cells total 0.3g or less can be carried on or checked with the power still on. Above that, ANA asks for the device in a checked bag to be switched completely off, with sleep mode not accepted.
A spare cell for the scale travels in the cabin
The cell fitted in the scale and a spare in its blister pack fall under different rows. Japan's list marks spare lithium metal batteries of 2g or less with a circle for the cabin and a cross for checked baggage, and asks for protection against short circuits.
Taiwan and Hong Kong use the same 0.3 g line
Taiwan's CAA recommends hand baggage for portable electronic devices with lithium batteries and requires a complete switch-off in checked baggage only when a lithium metal cell exceeds 0.3 g of lithium. Hong Kong's CAD ticks both carry-on and checked baggage for such devices and prints the same 0.3 g figure.
Carry-onChecked bag
Button and coin cell batteriesCarry-on: conditionsChecked bag: conditionsSmart luggage (with a built-in battery)Carry-on: conditionsChecked bag: conditions

Luggage scales: the rule country by country

The carry-on answer for luggage scales is the same in all 5 other places we checked.

Luggage scales: carry-on and checked baggage rules by country
Flying fromCarry-onChecked bagWhat the authority says
JapanCivil Aviation BureauYesWith limitsA digital luggage scale is a small electronic device: one with a lithium coin cell is allowed when the cell holds 2g of lithium or less, and one with alkaline batteries is not restricted. Source
United KingdomUK GovernmentYesWith limitsA digital scale with a lithium cell is a portable electronic device: carry-on or checked, lithium metal up to 2 g. If checked with a cell over 0.3 g of lithium it must be completely switched off. Source
South KoreaMOLIT Aviation Security 365YesYesA device fitted with a lithium metal battery of 2g or less, generally a CR-type button lithium battery, may be carried on or checked. Alkaline batteries are allowed in both, with the terminals insulated. Source
TaiwanCivil Aviation AdministrationYesWith limitsA scale with a lithium cell is a portable electronic device: hand baggage is recommended; if checked with a lithium metal cell over 0.3 g of lithium it must be completely switched off. Dry batteries may go in checked or hand baggage. Source
Hong KongCivil Aviation DepartmentYesWith limitsA scale with a lithium cell is a portable electronic device: carry-on and checked, lithium metal up to 2 g; over 0.3 g it must be completely switched off if checked. Equipment with dry batteries: carry-on and checked. Source
AustraliaHome Affairs, CASAYesWith limitsA scale with a lithium cell is a portable electronic device: carry-on or checked, lithium metal up to 2 g. It should be carried on; if checked it must be completely switched off and protected from damage. Dry cells in equipment: both.CASA Pack Right entry: Portable electronic devices containing lithium metal or lithium ion cells, battery or batteries (watches, calculators, cameras, mobile phones, laptops, camcorders etc.), Batteries - dry cell (in equipment) Source

Each row comes from that authority's own page. Airlines can be stricter, and the screening officer has the final say.

Frequently asked questions

Can you pack a luggage scale in carry-on or checked luggage?

On flights in and from Japan: Yes. A digital luggage scale is a small electronic device: one with a lithium coin cell is allowed when the cell holds 2g of lithium or less, and one with alkaline batteries is not restricted. In checked baggage: Yes. Pack it so that it cannot switch on or get damaged. A device has to be switched completely off in checked baggage only when its cell holds more than 0.3g of lithium.

Do you need to remove the battery from a luggage scale before checking it in?

No. Japan's list accepts a device with a lithium metal battery of 2g or less as checked baggage with the cell fitted. Taking the cell out changes its row: the list counts a battery removed from a device as a spare, and a spare is carried in the cabin, not checked.

Is a luggage scale that uses AAA batteries allowed on a plane?

Yes. Japan's list labels dry batteries non-dangerous goods and marks them for cabin and hold. Australia's CASA has an entry for dry cells in equipment, which can be carried on or checked in: the batteries must be securely installed and the device switched off so that it cannot be activated by accident in transit.

Can you bring a digital luggage scale in hand luggage from the UK?

Yes. The UK Civil Aviation Authority's table marks portable electronic devices powered by lithium batteries yes for carry-on and yes for checked baggage, and accepts lithium metal batteries of up to 2 g lithium content without operator approval. It says such devices should be carried as carry-on baggage.

Can you put a luggage scale in checked luggage?

Yes. Pack it so that it cannot switch on or get damaged. A device has to be switched completely off in checked baggage only when its cell holds more than 0.3g of lithium.

Related items

Carry-onChecked bag
Button and coin cell batteriesCarry-on: conditionsChecked bag: conditionsBatteries (AA, AAA, rechargeable)Carry-on: conditionsChecked bag: conditionsAirTags and luggage trackersCarry-on: yesChecked bag: conditionsSmart luggage (with a built-in battery)Carry-on: conditionsChecked bag: conditionsLithium batteriesCarry-on: conditionsChecked bag: conditionsBackpacks and rucksacksCarry-on: yesChecked bag: yes
Show all 23Power banks (portable chargers)Carry-on: conditionsChecked bag: noChargers and AC adaptersCarry-on: yesChecked bag: yesLaptopsCarry-on: yesChecked bag: conditionsTablets and smartphonesCarry-on: yesChecked bag: conditionsCamerasCarry-on: yesChecked bag: conditionsWireless earbuds and headphonesCarry-on: yesChecked bag: conditionsWired earphones and headphonesCarry-on: yesChecked bag: yesE-cigarettes and heated tobaccoCarry-on: yesChecked bag: noGenerators and enginesCarry-on: noChecked bag: conditionsSoldering irons and glue gunsCarry-on: conditionsChecked bag: conditionsMagnetsCarry-on: conditionsChecked bag: conditionsElectric wheelchairs and mobility scootersCarry-on: conditionsChecked bag: conditionsPortable fans (handheld and neck fans)Carry-on: yesChecked bag: conditionsCharging cables and USB cablesCarry-on: yesChecked bag: yesFlashlights and torchesCarry-on: yesChecked bag: conditionsNintendo Switch and game consolesCarry-on: yesChecked bag: conditionsBeauty devices (facial and skincare)Carry-on: yesChecked bag: conditions

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Sources for this page

  1. Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (MLIT) — Items restricted in carry-on and checked baggage (updated 24 April 2026)
  2. UK Civil Aviation Authority — What items can I travel with and which are restricted
  3. Aviation Security 365 (MOLIT / KOTSA) — Items restricted on the plane: batteries
  4. Taiwan CAA — Dangerous goods passengers and crew may carry
  5. Civil Aviation Department (Hong Kong) — Packing Tips for Air Passenger: Provisions for Dangerous Goods Carried by Passenger and Crew
  6. CASA — Pack Right: Portable electronic devices containing lithium metal or lithium ion cells, battery or batteries (watches, calculators, cameras, mobile phones, laptops, camcorders, smart glasses etc.)
  7. ANA — FAQ: Handling of electronic devices with built-in lithium-ion batteries and power banks (Japanese)
  8. Taiwan CAA — Table of dangerous goods passengers and crew may carry or check (Chinese)